Drinking-fountain for fowls.



J. M. MASON, JR. DRINKING FOUNTAIN FOR FOWLS. APPLICATION FILED MAY 5. 1911.

Patented Sept. 2, 1913.

' lnvcutor (Zltomcg s coumnm PLANonnAPn 60.. WASHINGTON. D. c.

JAMES M. MASON, JR, OF CHARLESTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA.

DRINKING-FOUNTAIN FOR FOWLS.

1,072,3etet.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 2, 1913.

Application filed May 5, 1911. Serial No. 625,305.

To all 10/mm it may concern.

Be it known that 1, James M. Mason, J12, a citizen of the United States, residing at Charlestown, in the county of Jefferson and State of \Vest Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Drinking-l ountains for Fowls; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it a iipertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to drinking fountains for fowls and the object is to provide a device which shall furnish a supply of fresh water under such conditions that the body of water in the main receptacle can not be (:(mtaminated by germs which may be carried by the bill of any of the fowls.

it is a common occurrence for disease to be trai'ismitted from one fowl to another by reason of a contaminated water supply, and in numerous instances large munbers of chickens thus become diseased for a time, or are lost, and. the real cause is unknown to the owner. lvlany chickens are expected to drink from one receptacle in which water is allowed to stand for a considerable time, no means for protecting the supply or any portion thereof being provided. In order to overcome this ditl'iculty, I have provided means for storing a main water supply, and means for feeding the water in larger or smaller quantities, according to the number of fowls to be accommodated, with a drinking receptacle from which the water flows at all times in such manner that the said receptacle will be constantly cleansed.

In the accompanying drawing forming part of this application :Figure 1 is a view of the device in side elevation, Fig. 2 is a view in vertical section, and, Fig. 8 is a detailed view of a portion of the construction hereafter described. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the drinking vessel proper.

In carrying out my invention, I provide a receptacle 10 which may be of any suitable shape and which is provided with a bottom portion 11 having an aperture 12 therein closed by a screw 18. The aperture 12 may be tapered and the screw correspondingly tapered, in order that the supply of water in the receptacle 10 may be caused to flow gradually or more rapidly as desired. The degree of flow desired will of course depend upon the number of fowls to be supplied by the fountain, the intention bcmg to provide a substantially continuous How in small quantities.

Below the receptacle 10 and forming a continuation thereof is a member 1a which may be substantially cone-shaped, in order that it may [it zuicurately upon the lower portion of receptacle 10. The upper portion is provided with a slot 17 at one side, designed to engage a portion of spring 16. A lug 15 projects from one side of member 1-1 and .igisters with an aperture provided in spring 16.

The drinking receptacle proper consists of a dish-like member 18 into which the lower portion of member 14: projects, the latter reaching to nearly the bottom of the receptacle, in order that the water flowing from member 14- may be carried to the bottom of the body of water in receptacle l8 and keep the supply constantly fresh. ()n the rear side of receptacle l8, lugs 20 and 21 are provided, for engaging correspomling apertures inv spring 16. This construction permits the easy separation of the parts in order that a large munber of correspond ing pieces may be readily packed, by nesting, for shipment. Spring 16 may be secured to receptacle 10 by means of solder, or otherwise. The spring tends to hold the receptacle 18 in contact with the lower side of the tubular member, as shown in Fig. 4, the formation of the parts being similar and the lugs 20 and 21 engaging the apertures in the spring, preventing displacement of the elements. 'It will be umlerstood that the weight of the water in the lower receptacle is very slight.

I regard as especially important the construction by means of which the water supply in the lower reieplacle is wholly separated from the main body of water in the upper receptacle. Member .14: provides an air space and prevents any germs which may enter receptacle 18, on account of its having been used by diseased 'towls, from passing i'lpwardly thrmigh. receptacle 10 and there coming in contact with the main supply. It will. be observed that member 14! substantially a portion of the upper receptacle and provides the aforesaid air space and by reason of being detachable, ready access is at- :t"oi.'dcd to the valve. member 13 for regulating the supply.

In the absence of a protecting device, such as 14L, which isolates a body of air between the receptacles, inn'mritics in the air would collect about the valve member 18 which has direct connect-ion with the supply in the upper receptacle.

The lower vessel or receptacle 18 is so formed that only a small quantity of water is required in order to furnish an adequate supply for a chicken, one fowl drinking at a time. The top of the vessel is broad, and the rear and bottom portions narrower, the

shape corresponding to the shape of a bill idly as it becomes full.

What I claim is 1. In a device of the character described, a main receptacle, a second receptacle arranged beneath the first'receptacle, the contents of the receptacles being permanently separated by a body of air, means for detachably connecting the two receptacles and means for conveying water from the upper receptacle to the bottom of the lower receptacle, said means comprising a tubular member detachably connected with the first receptacle and serving to isolate a body of air between the two receptacles, and a device for forming a variable sinuous passage for preventing the transfer of germs from the walls of the tubular member to the interior of the upper receptacle.

2. In a device of the character described, a main receptacle for containing a supply of water, a bottom therefor having a bore, a valve within the bore, a tubular member connected with and forming substantially a continuation of the first receptacle but having its interior separated therefrom by said bottom member, a lower receptacle arranged to receive the lower end of the tubular member and means for holding the tubular member and the lower receptacle in position, said tubular member defining a permanent air chamber between the receptacles.

3. In a device of the class described, a receptacle having tapering walls, a bottom for said receptacle provided with an aperture and a valve within said aperture, a tubular member having tapering walls arranged to telescope with the walls of a lower receptacle partly inclosing the lower end of the tubular member and having a bottom in proximity to said lower end, the tubular member defining a permanent air chamber between the receptacles, projecting devices carried by the outer walls of the lower receptacle, a member secured to the walls of the upper receptacle and having apertures adapted to engage each of the aforesaid projections, said member engaging the recess.

4. In a device of the character described, a main receptacle for containing a supply of water, a bottom therefor, a valve member in the bottom, a tubular member connected with and forming substantially a continuation. of the first receptacle, a lower receptacle arranged to receive the lower end of the tubular member, means carried by the main receptacle for holding the tubular member and the lower receptacle in position, said tubular member defining a permanent air chamber between the receptacles andsaid lower receptacle having a broadened portion toward one projecting end with a narrower rear and bottom portion.

In testimony whereof I affix in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES MASON, JR.

my signature Witnesses:

ROBERT T. LANG, II. C. JOHNSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

' Washington, D. G. i 

